A method and apparatus for distributing electrical power is provided. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes: a semiconductor switch adapted to receive input power from a DC power source, adapted to distribute power to a DC/DC module, and adapted to receive a control signal, a charge storage device in operative communication with the semiconductor switch and a return path associated with the DC power source, and a reverse current monitoring logic in operative communication with the semiconductor switch. In this embodiment, the reverse current monitoring logic is adapted to detect reverse current flowing in the semiconductor switch and, in response to detecting the reverse current, is adapted to open the semiconductor switch. Several embodiments of a method of distributing electrical power to a DC load are also provided.
Legal claims defining the scope of protection, as filed with the USPTO.
1. A method of distributing electrical power, including: a) receiving power from a DC power source and distributing parallel power via first and second power distribution paths with output isolation to a DC load; b) charging a charge storage device associated with the first power distribution path to a potential associated with the DC power source; c) in response to a short circuit in the second power distribution path, detecting reverse current flowing through the first power distribution path; d) in response to detecting the reverse current, opening the first power distribution path to disconnect the charge storage device from the short circuit; e) in response to the short circuit, opening the second power distribution path to disconnect the short circuit from the DC power source and the first power distribution path; and f) closing the first power distribution path to re-connect the charge storage device to the DC power source.
2. The method of claim 1 , further including: g) isolating the first power distribution path from the DC load via a first DC/DC module; and h) isolating the second power distribution path from the DC load via a second DC/DC module.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein the detecting of reverse current in c) includes detecting reverse current flowing through a semiconductor switch, the opening of the first power distribution path in d) includes opening the semiconductor switch, and the closing of the first power distribution path in f) includes closing the semiconductor switch.
4. The method of claim 3 , c) further including: g) at least partially discharging the charge storage device through the semiconductor switch until the semiconductor switch is opened; h) sensing a first voltage at an output of the semiconductor switch and a second voltage at an input of the semiconductor switch; and i) opening the semiconductor switch in response to the second voltage becoming greater than the first voltage.
5. The method of claim 3 , d) further including: g) at least partially discharging the charge storage device through the first power distribution path with output isolation to the DC load.
6. The method of claim 3 , f) further including: g) sensing a first voltage at an output of the semiconductor switch and a second voltage at an input of the semiconductor switch; and h) closing the semiconductor switch in response to the second voltage becoming greater than the first voltage.
7. The method of claim 1 wherein the opening of the second power distribution path in e) includes opening a short circuit protection device.
8. The method of claim 7 wherein the short circuit protection device includes a fuse.
9. A method of distributing electrical power to a DC load, including: a) receiving input electrical power from a DC power source at first and second power distribution paths; b) distributing a first isolated output electrical power to the DC load via the first power distribution path; c) distributing a second isolated output electrical power to the DC load via the second power distribution path; d) charging a charge storage device associated with the first power distribution path to a potential associated with the DC power source; e) in response to a short circuit in the second power distribution path, detecting a reverse current flowing through the first power distribution path; f) in response to detecting the reverse current, opening the first power distribution path to disconnect the charge storage device from the short circuit; g) in response to the short circuit, opening the second power distribution path to disconnect the short circuit from the DC power source and the first power distribution path; and h) closing the first power distribution path to re-connect the charge storage device to the DC power source.
10. The method of claim 9 wherein the detecting of reverse current in e) includes detecting reverse current flowing through a semiconductor switch, the opening of the first power distribution path in f) includes opening the semiconductor switch, and the closing of the first power distribution path in h) includes closing the semiconductor switch.
11. The method of claim 10 , e) further including: i) at least partially discharging the charge storage device through the semiconductor switch until the semiconductor switch is opened; j) sensing a first voltage at an output of the semiconductor switch and a second voltage at an input of the semiconductor switch; and k) opening the semiconductor switch in response to the second voltage becoming greater than the first voltage.
12. The method of claim 10 , f) further including: i) at least partially discharging the charge storage device through the first power distribution path with output isolation to the DC load.
13. The method of claim 10 , h) further including: i) sensing a first voltage at an output of the semiconductor switch and a second voltage at an input of the semiconductor switch; and j) closing the semiconductor switch in response to the second voltage becoming greater than the first voltage.
14. A system, comprising: a first power distribution path, providing DC power to a load, where the first power distribution path includes a reverse current monitoring logic, a switch controllable by the reverse current monitoring logic, and a charge storage device between the switch and the load; at least one second power distribution path, providing DC power to the load in parallel with the first power distribution path; and, when a short circuit develops in the second power distribution path, the short circuit causes a reverse current to flow in the first distribution path from the charge storage device through the switch and through the short circuit in the second distribution path, and the reverse current is detected by the reverse current monitoring logic, and the reverse current monitoring logic opens the switch to stop the reverse current.
15. The system of claim 14 , further comprising: the second power distribution path includes a short circuit protection device, and when a short circuit develops in the second distribution path the short circuit protection device stops current flow through the short circuit, causing the reverse current in the first distribution path to stop flowing, and the reverse current monitoring logic then closes the switch in the first distribution path.
16. The system of claim 15 , the charge storage device providing power to the load during the time that the switch in the first distribution path is open.
Cooperative Patent Classification codes for this invention. Click any code to explore related patents in that topic.
September 12, 2006
May 18, 2010
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